Jim Henneman, the Voice Behind the Orioles’ Box Scores, Dies at 89
In the world of baseball, where statistics are eternal and legends are often measured in numbers, the Baltimore Orioles have lost one of the most important voices behind those numbers. Jim Henneman, a beloved figure in Baltimore’s sports community and an institution in the Orioles’ press box, has passed away at the age of 89.
For Orioles fans, this is more than the loss of a journalist—it’s the loss of a storyteller who chronicled generations of baseball with heart, humor, and unmatched insight. Henneman wasn’t just a sportswriter or scorekeeper; he was a walking history book who saw the game from every angle, from the dugout to the deadline.
The Baltimore Sun confirmed the news: “Jim ‘Henny’ Henneman, a staple at Orioles games since the team arrived in 1954… and worked 23 years as the primary official scorekeeper at Camden Yards, has died.” Henneman’s connection to the Orioles spanned nearly seven decades, during which he covered the team for local outlets and faithfully maintained the official scorebook.
But what made Henneman truly special was the way he approached the game. He didn’t just record what happened—he preserved the spirit behind every play. He could take a double play and describe it like a short story. For 23 years, he was the voice of reason behind scoring decisions and the quiet conscience in the press box who made sure the record of each game was true and fair.
Henneman’s legacy extends far beyond numbers. He was once an emergency bat boy, a longtime columnist, and a friend to generations of fans, players, and reporters. His work helped define the Orioles’ narrative through both heartbreak and glory, giving context to moments that might have otherwise faded away.
As the Orioles pursue postseason hopes once again, they do so without a man who, for decades, turned their story into more than a game. His death is a poignant reminder that while baseball is timeless, even its most enduring figures eventually run out of innings.
Jim Henneman may be gone, but his words, wisdom, and wit will echo through Camden Yards every time someone asks, “Who kept score that night?”